I wanted to love this book. I really really did. Dance of Thieves is one of my all time favorite duologies and I recommend it to everyone. So when I saw Mary E Pearson had another series coming out I was so excited. Unfortunately, for me, this one fell really flat.

It felt too similar to The Cruel Prince, gave me major teenage angst vibes and I’ll admit I didn’t love the Folk of The Air series.

I did like the FMC, Bristol. Her background was so hard/sad, with all the moving around and losing her parents. Watching her and her sisters struggle to even get by was heart wrenching. That’s about all I liked from the book.

The plot wasn’t really there, the magic seemed lacking and not really explained. There were so many side characters it was sort of hard to keep track of everyone. And the romance felt very Stockholm syndrome to me. They hated each other from day 1. And then they are in love? And the MMC professes that he loved her from the minute he saw her? No, no you didn’t sir.

Maybe it wasn’t my cup of tea but maybe it’s yours. I’m not not recommending it but it’s a low on the totem pole book.

What a fun romantasy, with a bit of spice sprinkled in! This was my first read by Mary E. Pearson, but definitely won't be the last. I really enjoyed her writing style.

Bristol, our female lead with her two sisters, have recently lost both her parents and is now trying to learn how to provide for all of them.
Stuck in a boring day to day, things take a major turn when she decides to respond to a letter requesting her presence. I truly enjoyed the scene at the Inn... It was fun and intriguing, what with all the different creatures that she describes.

The writing was smooth and flowed very well. I will say I felt it a touch too lengthy towards the middle, but things really do pick up and move quickly nearing the end.

The narration was great. And I appreciate the way the narrator distinguishes voices between characters and the emotion in her tone as the story unfolds.

Now to sit on the edge of my seat until we find out what happens next with Bre! So good, highly recommend!

⭐: 4.5
🌶️: 3

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ending the book on that line is absolutely hilarious. While the story was enjoyable overall, the last ten percent really tested my patience. I genuinely wanted to beat the hell out of every character because they got under my skin in the most frustrating ways. The main character, in particular, stood out as a source of irritation. She struggles to stand up for herself and moves on from how others treat her far too quickly, which made her feel passive in moments where I wanted more strength or resolve.

The book is undeniably a slow burn, but not in the romantic sense. Instead, it takes its time establishing the world and the main plot. While this approach allows for intricate plot-building, the pacing felt sluggish at times, and a bit of trimming would have made it a smoother read. Still, there is a lot to appreciate, and I had a good time immersing myself in the story.

I am looking forward to seeing where the author takes things in the next installment. However, I hope the future brings betrayals that stick and are not so easily forgiven or brushed aside. I want to see raw anger, real angst, and deeper exploration of the world and its complexities. There is so much potential for this series to evolve into something even more gripping.

Bristol will do just about anything to secure her sisters' future even if it's making a deal with a fae. But they're on the brink of destitution so Bristol seizes the opportunity to discover more about their family and if their father is still alive.
I've adored Mary Pearson's writing for several years. The Thieves duology lives rent free and the announcement of this book and series had me twitterpated. There is a lot to appreciate about this book and a couple of things that I didn't need. The twists, the adventure, the characters were all easy reasons to keep this book plugged into my ear. I do think it needed an edit down, however. It's quite long for not a whole lot to have happened (particularly in the middle). The romance also grew a tad stale and repetitive for me. Otherwise, though, the ending will definitely have me picking up book two.
Brittany Pressley was an excellent choice to narrate this series beginner. I really enjoy her performances especially when a character is sassy or passionate.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the complimentary audiobook. All thoughts are my own.

I went into The Courting of Bristol Keats with curiosity, but it ended up surprising me in the best way. Mary E. Pearson weaves a tale that is as intricate as it is immersive, with a slow-burn narrative that pulls you in layer by layer.

Bristol's story is deeply emotional and multifaceted, exploring themes of family, sacrifice, and the lure of the unknown. Her journey from a quiet town to a realm of gods, fae, and monsters is nothing short of mesmerizing. The letters from the mysterious “aunt” serve as a perfect catalyst, unraveling secrets that make you question everything alongside her.

The character development is a standout feature. Bristol’s resilience and determination shine, and her complex dynamic with Tyghan, the fae leader, is a delicious mix of mistrust, tension, and reluctant cooperation. Their interactions carry an undercurrent of danger that keeps you on edge.

The world-building is lush and imaginative, though at times it can be a bit overwhelming. The realm of magic and intrigue is richly detailed, but I found myself re-reading sections to fully grasp the nuances. Still, the effort was worth it, as the vivid descriptions truly brought this dangerous new world to life.

For fans of slow-burn fantasy with a touch of darkness and mystery, The Courting of Bristol Keats is a must-read. It’s a story of twists and revelations, one that lingers in your mind long after the final page.

Mary E. Pearson has crafted a novel with intricate worldbuilding and fully developed characters. This book will fly off the shelves.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5 stars)
🌶️🌶️ (2 chili peppers – moderate spice)

This romantasy pulled me in from the start with its blend of family secrets, fae bargains, and forbidden romance. Bristol Keats is a strong, determined heroine whose journey from small-town struggles to the magical realm of Elphame is filled with danger, intrigue, and twists that kept me hooked.

The slow-burn romance between Bristol and Tyghan was a highlight, with their fiery chemistry evolving into something deeper. The world-building was immersive, with its gods, fae, and warring kingdoms, creating a lush backdrop for the story. The pacing built steadily, though the ending felt a bit abrupt—it left me desperate for the next installment.

Some tropes include:
🧚‍♀️ Fae bargains
❤️‍🔥 Enemies to lovers
🔥 Forbidden romance
👑 Warring kingdoms
🌌 Magical realms
🗡️ Training for battle
👩‍👧‍👧 Strong sibling bond
🌠 Hidden heritage
🤔 Morally gray characters
🎭 Secrets and betrayal

If you love stories with fae bargains, forbidden love, and morally gray characters, this one is a perfect pick. Fans of The Cruel Prince or These Hollow Vows will feel right at home!

3.75⭐️ rounded up to 4- Okay, so I enjoyed the first half of this novel. I really appreciate that not all the Fae are described as outrageously beautiful or handsome. I also liked that Bristol wasn’t instantly perfect at every trial she came across.
The second half started to lose me a bit though. I just think it could have been edited down and it was pretty predictable.
With that said the imagery was nice and the *ahem* adult scenes weren’t over done and vulgar. I would read it again for sure before the next one is released.

Bristol Keats has been living across the US all of her life with her two sisters and parents for as long as she has been alive. Unknowingly on the run, her parents are very secretive about their history and any family they may have. After the tragic death of both of her parents, Bristol is enticed at the possibility of a living relative who wants to get to know her, and from there she is sucked into the land of the fae. This is an enemies-to-lovers romance wherein Bristol is learning about her heritage, family history, and the possibility that her father may still be alive. Bristol also meets Tyghan, the Fae king with an agenda to route out his enemies with whom Bristol makes a dangerous deal with.

This audiobook was very long and the narrator was really the only reason I kept listening! Sadly, I really did not enjoy the characters nor the world-building. In the past, I have enjoyed the way Pearson builds up romance, but this time felt like it went from zero to one hundred in terms of the romantic development, but the romance is definitely more of a subplot. I do not recall anything all that spicy, despite this being an adult book (Pearson has previously written YA).

I think readers who enjoy more on an epic fantasy will like this as it is less of a typical romantasy since the romance is a subplot.

I’m not a big fantasy person, but I really liked this and I’m looking forward to the next installment. It’s about Bristol Keats, a young woman struggling to take care of her sisters after they were orphaned by their parent’s deaths. Then, out of desperation, she responds to a mysterious letter only to make a deal to save her family and go to fairy land. There, she is trying figure out who she is, falling for the king, and finding out that both her parents are alive and far themselves.

With some 🌶️ and 🪄 🧚 , this was a really enjoyable book.

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This had everything that I want from a fantasy romance. Excellent world building, a plot that you just dive into, interesting magic, tension between our love interests, light spice, and a full cast of interesting characters. I loved the multi-POVs. There were too many to count, and I think the mirror and the horse's brief scenes were my favorite because they helped develop the world. This is a fae-based fantasy but it is more Cruel Prince world vibes than ACOTAR world vibes. Dark and dangerous Fae world that our main character gets sucked into unexpectedly. The base for so many romantasies, but this one felt unique among a very crowded field.

Speaking of our main character, Bristol is excellent as an FMC. Her attitude and adjusting to all of the new information in this world were very realistic. I hope she turns into a dragon in book 2. For some reason I thought this was a standalone, so I was so confused at where this ended. But I see that I was wrong and this is a duology. I need book 2 ASAP please!

I liked the narration by Brittany Pressley. She's narrated quite a few other audiobooks that I've enjoyed, so I will definitely keep listening to the ones she does.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an ARC of this audiobook.

Thank you to @macmillan.audio for the ALC of this book! The narration was done beautifully and was very enjoyable to listen to! There were so many characters in this book and Brittany Pressley did an amazing job of giving them each their own personality!

I enjoyed this book SO much! It was such a nice mix of romance and epic fantasy. I thought the Celtic mythology was really interesting, and something I haven’t read much of. The writing was lush and descriptive, I could feel the world building around me as I read. Between the beautiful writing and short chapters I didn’t even realize I had read 560 pages/listened to (almost) 18 hours! I actually gasped when the audio ended because I wasn’t ready. 😂

I really enjoyed Bristol as a FMC, she made solid choices and was easy to like. I did enjoy the romance, but wished it was a bit more of a slow burn. Also the secrets, deceptions and betrayals were on point here! I livvvve for it. 🙌🏻

Read if you like:
👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨Reluctant allies to lovers
🤫Secrets & betrayal
🗺️Parallel worlds
✨Magic
❤️‍🔥Forbidden romance
💬Multiple POV

4.5/5

Wow. She has done it again. This book has such a magical setting and great characters. The ending has me thirsting for the next book! My only complaint is that the enemies to lovers moved a bit to fast for me; it felt like they forgot all their hatred for each other over night.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I was super excited for Mary E. Pearson to come out with an adult fantasy. And boy did she not disappoint. We have Bristol Keates and her two sisters who have lost both of their parents under mysterious circumstances. Briston is struggling to support her sisters when she starts to receive letters from an unknown aunt offering support. When Bristol agrees to meet with the aunt she unwittingly discovers that everything that she thought that she knew about her family and the world around her is not what she thought, including that her father may not actually be dead. Bristol travels to the fae land under the guise of helping them locate and close a hidden door, when her true goal is to locate and save her father.

I did enjoy the plot of this book. However, I thought that some of the characters could have been flushed out a little more. I also was not a fan of the insta-love between Bristol and the fae king. Overall I rated this book four stars and I'm looking forward to book two.

Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the eArc of The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary E. Pearson in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I had high hopes for this book--the description was alluring and the story sounded interesting. I did genuinely enjoy the story! The protagonist had potentially, but there were points in which she's almost unlikable beyond the fact that she's naive. The biggest issue is the pace and the inconsistent writing. The pace is so slow for no reason--sometimes I feel the writing is trying to over-reach. As a series, it is a start to a story with potential, but the pace could have been better.

5 Stars

This was wildly amazing and an epic dive into the land of Fae. If you’ve been wanting a more adult version of the type of faerie world that we got with Holly Black’s Folk of the Air series, then look no further. I need the next book ASAP and will be so unwell until I get the ending to this epic fantasy!

I loved this book so much! I'm super excited to see what is next!
If you liked books like The Cruel Prince and ACOTAR i think you'll love this story!

Publisher's summary
After losing both their parents, Bristol Keats and her sisters struggle to stay afloat in their small, quiet town of Bowskeep. When Bristol begins to receive letters from an “aunt” she’s never heard of who promises she can help, she reluctantly agrees to meet—and discovers that everything she thought she knew about her family is a lie. Even her father might still be alive, not killed but kidnapped by terrifying creatures to a whole other realm—the one he is from.
Desperate to save her father and find the truth, Bristol journeys to a land of gods and fae and monsters. Pulled into a dangerous world of magic and intrigue, she makes a deadly bargain with the fae leader, Tyghan. But what she doesn't know is that he's the one who drove her parents to live a life on the run. And he is just as determined as she is to find her father—dead or alive.

Thanks to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the ALC of this book!

The Courting of Bristol Keats
By: Mary E. Pearson
Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
Publisher: Macmillan Audio

This book was so well written, the world building and character development was perfect. And the ending! Omg! I need book 2 now!

Book: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ .5
🎧: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
ARC review
Let’s start with the good. The writing style in this book is more sophisticated than the average book tok recommendation. She does a great job building the world and magic system without over loading the reader. The characters are interesting and the storyline is intriguing. However, this only gets you through the first half of the book. I initially thought this book was going to be a fantastic read. But somewhere along the way it stalled. And then it just- ended. It was a bit like blow-pop sucker that just never made it to the bubble gum. It was enjoyable, but it just never completely got to the good stuff. I was entertained, but that eventually became frustrating when the plot stalls and the storyline keeps going with no resolution. The big revelations in the second half had been predictable and so the reveal did not really further the plot. I felt frustrated after 17 hours of audio (or 550 pgs in the physical).

SPOILERS:

We knew she wasn’t going to end up mortal. We knew her dad was alive. We knew he was going to end up being the one who had stabbed the king. So once these were confirmed, it didn’t change anything for the reader. I actually would have liked it better without the chapters that confirmed her father was alive and let that big reveal be the plot twist. Or introduce him sooner and put a new spin on the “love triangle” between loyalty to a lover vs a parent. I assume this will be the second book. But if so, it took far too long to get there. And we haven’t even found the mother yet. This book Needed a bigger cliff hanger OR about 200 fewer pages.

The audio narration was okay. I do hope that more books that feature dual POVs with a male character move to duet narration. It is so much more entertaining and seems to be the trend of the future. It is a big ask for a narrator of one gender to voice so many characters and so many of the opposite sex. And this book does have a lot of characters. They partially overcome this with accents, but this would have been a great book to do as a duet narration. Thank you for the opportunity to review this book.

Overall, I liked this story. I thought it was a bit too long, but still, a good story. Bristol and her sisters are struggling after the disappearance of their mother and the supposed death of their father. She begins receiving letters from an aunt promising to help she and her sisters. Bristol has never heard either of her parents speaking of her having an aunt. She decides to go met the aunt and discuss the offered assistance. She soon discovers everything she thought she knew about her parents is a lie. Her father might still be alive and living in the realm of fairies. She sets out on a journey to find him.